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What should we know about Macau?

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by da1chifan, Feb 27, 2015.

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  1. da1chifan

    da1chifan High-Roller

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    We are booked at the Wynn Macau in September. What should we do while there? We are only slot and VP players. Do they do the comp at the end of stay thing like Vegas (when paying for room)? Anything else we should know about? We will probably do other things in the area, but are still researching. Going through NRT, may even end up in the Philippines or Thailand by the end of the trip.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2015
  2. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    they exchanged usd at the cage for me.
    Hong Kong dollar was 1:1 on Macau dollar. When I cashed out it was in hong kong dollars.

    I'm not sure on how comps work there, the mgm and Venetian didn't use the same vegas card, I only walked through Wynn. The casinos are more like warehouse sized with tons of bacarrat tables. Limited video poker, but plenty of random slots.

    What to do
    1. they have a famous egg tart
    2. Avoid the dim sum at 4 seasons
    3. Not sure on your trip but the boat to Hong Kong is cheap and not long, so you can hop around easily.
    4. It's not like the strip, the hotels are more spread out, so walking or taxing around to take a look will eat up a lot of time
    5. Pandas
     
  3. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    Hey fk, pm'ed you back but not sure if I sent it correctly. Let me know if you never received it.
     
  4. da1chifan

    da1chifan High-Roller

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    Very cool. Thanks for the info. We were pretty much just going to go in blind. LOL
     
  5. broncofn

    broncofn VIP Whale

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    Was actually talking with ppphold about Macau this evening. Told him if I was going to spend the money and time to fly there, I would rather go to Dubai. No gambling but it is beautiful there. Maybe I'm biased but I think it's worth the trip.
     
  6. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    Oh...are you chinese? I only ask as certain things are more difficult without being able to reading.

    I would bring US currency new crisp 100s or change to Hong Kong or China dollars. I would not pre buy Macau money
    I'd get the Chinese characters of places to cab to. I think Hong Kong is more English friendly. How many days are you staying?
    Macau isn't a pretty city, it's a dirty asain city that's packed but Hong Kong across the bay is nice.
     
  7. lotso-bear

    lotso-bear VIP Whale

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    I agree about not changing to Macau currency. There are some vendors in Macau who don't even accept their own currency, only Hong Kong Dollars.

    I would consider a side trip to the beaches of Thailand or Vietnam. I like Hong Kong as a city, but it feels overwhelming for me. If you're a foodie, you will enjoy Hong Kong. Highly recommend OpenRice.com for recommendations on restaurants.
     
  8. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    Its been over 4 years since I've been there and lived in the region but definitely agree to just keep everything in HKD. Don't expect gambling to be like the US. Every time I went there was for business so no real gambling but we'd get on a BJ table for a little while. I don't know about comps for normal players, there is a big focus on their rolling chip programs for higher limit players. Being a blonde you will stand out and if you're playing BJ people will bet on your spot and there is nothing you can do about it. Whenever we went at least a few of us were not east asian and I think that was enough for people to hover over our table and test to see if we had any luck.

    I can't recall if we ever did a dim sum lunch at the four seasons but I stayed there a couple times and its an awesome hotel. The rooms have this 70s retro feel but luxurious and high end. They feel like something out of a Sean Connery era Bond film. I have tons of ideas for things to do in Hong Kong and Kowloon if you're interested.

    Based on some of your posts you sound like you love to party. I hope you're not spending all your time in Macau but spending more of it in HK and Kowloon. Honestly outside of gambling and some "adult male" activities I would personally spend little time there. Whenever we went it would be mid-afternoon and by night I had no more desire to stay and would rather go back to the nightlife of Hong Kong.


    This is the time of year to go. One of my closest cousins lives out there working as an expat. My fiancee wants to see Dubai too. Its also the only place where we've made investments but never visited. So we will probably try to go sometime soon but not in the summer because it is just too hot. I'm sure the city and nightlife are cool, but I'm mostly interested in the food!
     
  9. da1chifan

    da1chifan High-Roller

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    Thanks for the info. Only planning to stay 2 days there as we are going to Tokyo first and probably somewhere else after. I am not Chinese, and the language barrier is really my biggest concern.

    Maybe we should do Hong Kong instead and forgo the gambling.
     
  10. da1chifan

    da1chifan High-Roller

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    Thanks for all the info. Haha about being the blonde that stands out. I kind of figured as much. ;)

    We do like to party! :drunk: We are spending some days in Tokyo first, but it sounds like Hong Kong might be a better option for us. I appreciate the information.
     
  11. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    okay this is a little better background. I would spend maybe 1 night in Macau if you are just in the area. If you are not a hardcore table game player, then its just not as exciting as las vegas. its much to serious.
    Early morning boat from hongkong to macua and last boat back is enough time just to play a little and to site see. I would do Tokyo and Taipei or Hong Kong as my main 2 Asian cities and then Macau as a side trip.
    I did not mention China proper as you need a visa to go there with a US passport so maybe another trip.
     
  12. alexb7

    alexb7 MIA

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    I love Macau! Things to do: eat a Portugese Pork Chop Bun (sign up for the Galaxy rewards card and go their breakfast buffet, with the card it's only like $8 for an amazing buffet), take about 20,000 HKD to play some baccarat (if your bankroll is smaller there are speed Baccarat tables at the Venetian with 100 HKD minimum), go shopping, take the ferry from HK first class, keep any male travel companions away from saunas.
     
  13. DaiLun

    DaiLun R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.

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    Anthony Bourdain did a show on Macau. Very insightful. I would spend an hour watching it if you can get it.

    http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/anthony-bourdain/articles/tony-bourdains-guide-to-macau
     
  14. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

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    If you have children you would like to get rid of, an ex co-worker of mine from Hong Kong told me the casinos will take them from the poorer classes in exchange for gambling credits.
    This was 15 years ago so that policy may not be in effect.
    If this idea ever caught on in AC I'd be tempted lately.
     
  15. da1chifan

    da1chifan High-Roller

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    Awesome! I will check that out this afternoon. Thanks for passing it along!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Bwahaha! I've had days like that too.
     
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